French Hotel Barge ATHOS - Cruise the canal du midi in the south of France - golf, painting, tennis, family and wine vacation cruises

*At a supplement price, a wine Sommelier or a Master of Wine can be made available for excursions or consultations during these charters.

Sunday, Day 1 - MARSEILLAN - SALLELES D'AUDE
4pm pick up at designated point in Montpellier where you will be met by ATHOS Captain and Manager. In the comfort of ATHOS' private air-conditioned minivans, you will be chauffeured to where the ATHOS awaits you at her moorings. You will be treated to a full-crew Welcome Aboard, whilst toasting with Champagne and Mediterannean canapés. Once you are settled into your cabin, you will be invited to a 4-course dinner, prepared by our highly acclaimed onboard Chef.

Monday, Day 2 - SALLELES D'AUDE to ARGELIERS
Enjoy your first coffee of the day sitting in a comfortable chair on the upper deck of ATHOS. While coffee is available at any time from the bar, continental-style breakfast is served, at your leisure, beginning at 8:30am. The proposed morning visit is a drive to the famous Medieval double-walled city of Carcassonne. Your knowledgeable on-board guide, Dannielle, will offer the historical & guided visit -- making sure that you have time to browse those shops! Finishing up the visit, Dannielle suggests a quick wine-tasting at one of the Caves in the Medieval Cité. This should provide a starting point for browsing the region’s wine collections! While the Captain gets ATHOS underway for an afternoon's cruise to Argeliers, Chef will serve up a local 3-course gourmet meal (perhaps including the famous duck confit stew, Cassoulet?). By early evening you have arrived in Argeliers, where ATHOS' mooring is beside the picturesque Argeliers bridge. Dannielle suggests a quick visit to the local wine co-operative where wine is served on tap! There is still time for a glass of the local rosé as an apperatif – Chef is preparing to serve up her next delightful meal. Perhaps dining al-fresco, under the shade of the Plain trees would be nice?

Tuesday, Day 3 - ARGELIERS to CAPESTANG
After breakfast, this morning's suggested visit is a tasting at the Oulibo - the local olive oil pressoir. After tasting those organic and wholesome olives (accompagnied, bien sur by a small glass of rosé!!), a short drive up the Gorge de la Cesse and into the hilltop village of Minerve is in order. Dannielle will regale you with the harrowing tale of the Cathar siege launched at Minerve during the 13th century. Enroute back to the Athos, Dannielle points out some of the many respectable Minervois wineries in the Gorge de la Cesse area. Recently recommended by Wine Spectator is Chateau Coupe Rose -- in we go! Once back on board, Chef regales us with another satisfying and delicious lunch. Julian gest cruising underway, and Athos begins moving towards Capestang. We arrive early evening in the charming village of Capestang. ATHOS will be moored with a clear view of the flood-lit St. Etienne cathedral. The village is a 5-minute walk -- and dinner will be waiting on your return!

Wednesday, Day 4 - CAPESTANG to FONSERANNES
After breakfast, why not have a stroll into the village square where the Morning Market is being held? Taste some of the local winemakers’ fare, the local cheese-makers’ cheese, and the local butchers’ sausage! Once back onboard, Julian maneuvers ATHOS towards Poilhes, in time to stop for a pre-lunch wine tasting at one of the few remaining traditional-method 19th century wineries, Domaine de Guery. As you ramble back onboard post-tasting, the table is laid on deck and another impressive feast awaits. The afternoon promises spectacular views of the Pyrenees across the sunny, clear Plain, and Athos makes her way to the evening's mooring: the breath-taking view-point at the Fonserannes. Dannielle suggests a short drive into Beziers, where enthusiastic wine-tasters can enjoy a guided visit and tasting at Domaine de la Colombette. Vignerons Mr. Pugibet and his son are nationally and internationally acclaimed for their Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Returning to the Athos for cocktails and relaxation on deck, the deckhand suggests a game of Petanque? A long gourmet dinner and wine in the fresh air finishes a perfect day.

Thursday, Day 5 - FONSERANNES to PORTIRAGNES
Why not take a side-trip to the weekly morning market in Narbonne? Even for non-shoppers, Narbonne offers much entertainment on a Thursday morning! Explore an excavated portion of the original Roman road, the Via Domitia, or, browse through the well-compiled Roman Museum, or, discover the beauty of St. Juste Cathedral, or, simply take a moment to blend into the scene: sit and relax in one of the many cafés. For Wine Enthusiasts who might like to purchase and ship certain bottles, Dannielle recommends her own long-time Caviste at the Cave du Palais in Narbonne, and offers to take those interested to look at his large collection. Although shipping is expensive, it can be arranged from here for those who are interested. On returning to Athos, Chef and the hostess begin serving up today's luxury meal. Captain Julian and his deck hand are busy getting ATHOS underway. This 17th century feat of engineering, the "Neuf Ecluses" (or staircase locks), is sure to impress! ATHOS crew expertly tie her up in each lock, and wait for the gates to close safely behind her before the water levels empty out and allow her to pass one locks into the next. But it's not over yet! Coming up next is the 18th century Canal Bridge which will carry the ATHOS over the Orb River.

Friday, Day 6 - PORTIRAGNES to MARSEILLAN
From the scenic mooring at Portiragnes, we get underway earlier than usual, cruising through the Petit Camargue where bulls stand casually in fields, Pink Flamingos grace estuaries, and African Rollers fly overhead. A spectacular (and appropriate!) seafood lunch awaits you, as you enter the open-waters of the Etang de Thau. The Etang hosts Europe's largest mussel and oyster park. Dannielle has made sure that plenty of the local specialty, Picpoul de Pinet is available to accompany the seafood according to the local tradition! As ATHOS comes to moor in the port at Marseillan, you will notice the enclosure which makes up the Noillly Prat Vermouth distillery. End a perfect day with a fascinating tour of the Distillery -- and, of course, a taste of Noilly Prat vermouth! Chef's efforts are sure to make this evening worth remembering! Captain Julian will join your party for your final dinner onbard this evening, and Dannielle will have chosen particularly special wines for your final meal onboard. During the evening, he will also invite the crew to make a farewell toast with you. The evening's mooring will be at the small village of Portiragnes. The paved tow path and the many locks leading to this village make it an ideal afternoon for walking or cycling alongside the ATHOS. Dinner onboard

Saturday, Day 7 - MARSEILLAN
After breakfast, everyone waves goodbye to Jill and the Crew, who have looked after your every need throughout the week. The minivans will now depart to the appointed destination in Montpellier.

NOTE:
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks, cruise will be in reverse.